Crystal

KDE 3.x Window Decorations

Source (link to git-repo or to original if based on someone elses unmodified work): Add the source-code for this project on opencode.net

9
5.7
Description:

Crystal is a kwin window decoration theme, which offers you (pseudo) TRANSPARENT titlebar, buttons and borders. Check out my screenshots! It also has some little usuability enhancements.


Main features:
* The style grabs your wallpaper and uses it as the deco background. It has several blending modes, i.e. it can fade the background into the defined title bar color, or it can brighten or darken the wallpaper, as well as blur the source image to simulate glass.
* Choose the blending color of the buttons.
* You can define the title bar height and border size of the windows.
* Right click on minimize button toggles shade mode.
* Middle click on minimize button sends window to below.
* Double click on program symbol closes window.
* Support for button themes. Basic button theme is included, feel free to swamp me with cool themes.
* Can show a tooltip of the caption
* Mouse-wheel on the title bar to 'scroll' to all opened windows of the same desktop.
* If kdocker is installed (http://kdocker.sf.net), right click on close button will send the window to the systemtray.


Disadvantages:
- Crystal needs KDE >=3.2 and QT>=3.2.
- May be very slow and memory consuming
- Don't forget to breathe, while drooling.


-- INSTALL ---------------------
Basic Installation (from the console):
- Step 1
$ ./configure
OR: $ ./configure --prefix=`kde-config --prefix`
- Step 2
$ make
- Step 3 (as root)
# make install

If you installed crystal while it was running, you need to restart kwin to use the updated version: kwin --replace
--------------------------------


Crystal in common distributions:
- Kubuntu: Crystal is the default decoration since 6.06
- Ubuntu: sudo apt-get install kwin-style-crystal
- Gentoo: emerge -a x11-themes/crystal
- Fedora: yum install crystal
- Debian: apt-get install kwin-style-crystal
- openSUSE: install from repository http://software.opensuse.org/download/KDE:/Community/openSUSE_10.2
- FreeBSD: Port x11-themes/kde-windeco-crystal
- Mandriva: urpmi kwin-style-crystal


For KDE 4.x port see:
http://www.kde-look.org/content/show.php/crystal?content=75140

Source can also be found on GitHub:
https://github.com/shlusiak/kwin-style-crystal/tree/KDE-3.5


Regards,
Sascha Hlusiak
Last changelog:

12 years ago

1.0.7:
* Added Kubuntu button theme (thanks to Kubuntu team)
* Do not draw shadowed captions of inactive windows so it's easier to read
* Nicer defaults

1.0.6:
* Probably fixed linking of kdecore on some platforms
* Don't hide borders when in half maximized state. Fixes glitch when restoring a half maximized window.

1.0.5:
* Fixed linking of needed libraries like Qt in rare cases
* Fixed crash in "cycle tasks with wheel" in Compiz/Aquamarine. Use KDE setting when running in compiz.
* Set default of "cycle tasks with wheel" to off
* Showing version in preview


1.0.4:
* Fixed bug of not clipping when window is not visible (https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/kwin-style-crystal/+bug/82870)
* Integration of kdocker: Right click on close button to run kdocker for that window to minimize it to the system tray. kdocker needs to be installed (http://kdocker.sf.net)
* Menu button is finally themeable. Added menu button images to button themes, where possible


1.0.3:
* Added option to suppress drawing of caption
* Added the two more overlays "glass" and "steel"
* Merged the beautiful Kubuntu Feisty button theme


1.0.2:
* Added Kubuntu-Edgy button theme
* Doubleclick is recognized on whole window frame
* Possibly slight speedup in rendering overlay


1.0.1:
* Added sweet Kubuntu button theme
* Fixed button misplacement when returning from fullscreen mode


1.0.0:
* Added raised/sunken mode to inline and outline frame
* Minor fix for outline frame with Vista buttons
* Configdialog changes/fixes
* Option to _completely_ disable all transparency code, for more speed
* You can separately define the color of the minimize and maximize button now
* Yeah, I think, it's worth the 1.0.0 now!

541 comments
Comments/Ratings

Please login or register to add a comment or rating

pmigneous

14 years ago

well actually i installed the expat package and It didn't work. I got fed up and tried the source (that was a fun expidition) but it worked.. and now I'm siting at my sexy new desktop. http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/9935/igneouslinux9ir.jpg

Report

yll

14 years ago

everything run good.... except transparancy... :-/

should i reboot kde for make it running ?


over kubuntu, installation is very easy with KInstaller, so try it ! ;)

Report

C

dralgebra

14 years ago

Again, kubuntu 6.06 already has it installed as the default window deco, and it has the checkbox for transparency disabled. Open the crystal configuration dialog, move to the background tab and enable transparency. Make sure the values are configured correctly for transparency.
Or what is your problem? You don't need to restart KDE, a 'kwin --replace' is only needed, when you update the crystal package.

Report

acidphex

14 years ago

I get the following error message:

(Reading database ... 166400 files and directories currently installed.)
Unpacking crystal (from crystal_1.0.0-1_i386.deb) ...
dpkg: error processing crystal_1.0.0-1_i386.deb (--install):
trying to overwrite `/usr/lib/kde3/kwin3_crystal.la', which is also in package kwin-style-crystal
dpkg-deb: subprocess paste killed by signal (Broken pipe)
Errors were encountered while processing:
crystal_1.0.0-1_i386.deb


Can anyone explain this?

Report

C

dralgebra

14 years ago

Kubuntu already provides the crystal windeco in the kwin-style-crystal package. You cannot install my debian package and the kubuntu package the same time. The Kubuntu package is actually newer at the moment. So keep it. :)

Report

acidphex

14 years ago

I was actually trying to achieve the transparency of the boarders. How can I do that?

Report

C

dralgebra

14 years ago

How about "Enable Transparency" in the Background Tab?

Report

Chi0

14 years ago

O-ok thanks guys, I got QT confused w/ Crystal, I just needed the Vista button on the QT theam & to tweek the transparency a little, I thought you had to config this in the Command line, Not the GUI that's what was confusing, I don't use the GUI offten, but was easy,

Report

Chi0

14 years ago

I have been getting the same error w/ the Deb pack on Kubuntu, how should i do the install? I wants the Vista style windows :)

Report

C

dralgebra

14 years ago

This means you already HAVE the deco installed, since it comes with Kubuntu 6.06! It even is the default decoration, so if you still have it selected, choose the vista button style in the crystal configuration dialog.

Report

microchip

14 years ago

Really good stuff, thanks :-)

Report

marriouss

14 years ago

Can anybody tell what settings do I have to apply to obtain the same result as the second screenshot?
Thanks!

Report

mdn

14 years ago

Pretty background, where is it from?

Report

C

dralgebra

14 years ago

http://www.vuni.net

Report

C

dralgebra

14 years ago

http://www.vuni.net

Report

Firebird

14 years ago

but i can not to install it, because i'm not the admin of my PC...!!

Report

daihard

14 years ago

Hi.

I've been using the Crystal decoration for a few months - so far it's one of the best for me. The only other deco that I like as much as this one is QNX, and it's only because I am a fan of the QNX Neutrino OS...

Now, one question. Which KDE theme do you think goes best with Crystal? I currently use Phase and like it, but I'm just wondering if you as the creator of Crystal have any other recommendation.

Thanks! Keep up the great work.

Dai

Report

SouthernCross79

14 years ago

What icon theme are you using in the bottom screenshot? Just wondering. It looks nice.

Report

C

dralgebra

14 years ago

It's the "exquisite" icon theme: http://www.kde-look.org/content/show.php?content=14788

Report

appletree

14 years ago

Hey, I installed crystal from the suse rpm, it's fantastic! I only have one problem - the buttons (apart from the close button) go blue when hovered, which is fine except I have a green desktop wallpaper, so I'd like to change them to a yellow-y green hover. However, when I change the hover colours in the preferences, they "mix" with the blue hover colour, and it looks awful! Before specifying a hover colour for the buttons, all the colour fields are on white (yet the buttons go blue when hovered)

I really love this deco and hope this problem isn't too hard to solve!! Keep up the good work :D

Tom

Report

C

dralgebra

14 years ago

I don't fix this. :(
You probably use the Vista button theme, which has already coloured buttons. I can tint the buttons in another color, but if there already is a color, it is mixed, but not replaced. It is not easily possible to change the color in software. Most button themes have whitish buttons, so I can tint them, but not the Vista theme. You'd need to create new buttons, which you can, because you can download the source.

Report

appletree

14 years ago

Ok I'll download the source and have a go at creating some new vista buttons :)
Thanks!

Tom

Report

unseenspider

14 years ago

i installed it smoothly and everything but when i try to active this theme on my kubuntu amd64 it wont become transparent. any thoughts on the subject guys?

Report

CheeseBurgerMan

14 years ago

Did you go to the Background tab and check 'Enable Transparency'?

I have it on Kubuntu AMD64, and it goes transparent over here. :)

Report

mhygz011085

14 years ago

I'm having a difficulty in installing this crystall. when i tried to install, the following errors occured:

libXfixes.so.3 is needed by crystal-0.9.7-1
libXinerama.so.1 is needed by crystal-0.9.7-1
libXxf86vm.so.1 is needed by crystal-0.9.7-1
libidn.so.11 is needed by crystal-0.9.7-1
libintl.so.3 is needed by crystal-0.9.7-1
libkdecorations.so.1 is needed by crystal-0.9.7-1
libkwalletclient.so.1 is needed by crystal-0.9.7-1
liblcms.so.1 is needed by crystal-0.9.7-1
linux-gate.so.1 is needed by crystal-0.9.7-1


I don't know how to upgrade my kde to hgher or equal to 3.2 and also the QT.. Please help me out, I really like this window deco, it looks so cool! :)

Report

12 years ago

1.0.7:
* Added Kubuntu button theme (thanks to Kubuntu team)
* Do not draw shadowed captions of inactive windows so it's easier to read
* Nicer defaults

1.0.6:
* Probably fixed linking of kdecore on some platforms
* Don't hide borders when in half maximized state. Fixes glitch when restoring a half maximized window.

1.0.5:
* Fixed linking of needed libraries like Qt in rare cases
* Fixed crash in "cycle tasks with wheel" in Compiz/Aquamarine. Use KDE setting when running in compiz.
* Set default of "cycle tasks with wheel" to off
* Showing version in preview


1.0.4:
* Fixed bug of not clipping when window is not visible (https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/kwin-style-crystal/+bug/82870)
* Integration of kdocker: Right click on close button to run kdocker for that window to minimize it to the system tray. kdocker needs to be installed (http://kdocker.sf.net)
* Menu button is finally themeable. Added menu button images to button themes, where possible


1.0.3:
* Added option to suppress drawing of caption
* Added the two more overlays "glass" and "steel"
* Merged the beautiful Kubuntu Feisty button theme


1.0.2:
* Added Kubuntu-Edgy button theme
* Doubleclick is recognized on whole window frame
* Possibly slight speedup in rendering overlay


1.0.1:
* Added sweet Kubuntu button theme
* Fixed button misplacement when returning from fullscreen mode


1.0.0:
* Added raised/sunken mode to inline and outline frame
* Minor fix for outline frame with Vista buttons
* Configdialog changes/fixes
* Option to _completely_ disable all transparency code, for more speed
* You can separately define the color of the minimize and maximize button now
* Yeah, I think, it's worth the 1.0.0 now!

12345678910
1
product-maker nazir Feb 10 2011 9 excellent

0 comments
Comments

Please login or register to add a comment

Be the first to comment
lisacwright
Feb 24 2020
gregorycervin
Jan 08 2020
cschembari
Nov 02 2010
nazir
Feb 15 2010
pvt14
Aug 11 2009
vinz
May 30 2009
mayhem
Mar 07 2009
mmirec
Jan 24 2009
seraphyn
Dec 23 2008
File (click to download) Version Description Downloads Date Filesize DL OCS-Install MD5SUM
*Needs pling-store or ocs-url to install things
product-maker
dralgebra
Pling
0 Affiliates

Support-Box

Become a Supporter of "Crystal" and similar KDE 3.x Window Decorations via a monthly donation of
  • $0.99
  • $2
  • $5
  • $10
  • $
    Enter a free Amount
Crystal is part of KDE Themes and Extensions, which is supported by the following people:
More KDE 3.x Window Decorations from dralgebra:
product
Other KDE 3.x Window Decorations:
product
product
product
product
product
product
Details
license
version
1.0.7
updated Feb 01 2009
added Jun 30 2004
downloads 24h
0
mediaviews 24h 0
pageviews 24h 5
Report Misuse Report SPAM
System Tags linux unix